Positioning cartridge for electrode

Abstract

A positioning cartridge is disclosed for use during manufacture of an electrode. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of positioning inserts, each with proximal and distal ends, and a scaffold secured to the proximal ends of each positioning insert. The scaffold may be configured to place the positioning inserts in a defined orientation with respect to each other that corresponds to a plurality of longitudinal bores of the electrode. An electrode may be manufactured using the positioning cartridge. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of components, such that at least one component is associated with each positioning insert. The plurality of components may be temperature sensors. The positioning cartridge may be configured to position each temperature sensor at a location adjacent an outer surface of the electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A positioning cartridge for use during manufacture of an electrode, comprising a plurality of positioning inserts, each having proximal and distal ends, at least one associated temperature sensor and a scaffold secured to the proximal end of each positioning insert, wherein the scaffold is configured to place the positioning inserts in a defined orientation with respect to each other that corresponds to a plurality of longitudinal bores of the electrode, each positioning insert comprising a longitudinal slot oriented at an outermost radius of the positioning insert for receiving the at least one associated temperature sensor. 
     
     
       2. The positioning cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold comprises at least one arm. 
     
     
       3. The positioning cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning cartridge comprises two positioning inserts and wherein the at least one arm is secured to each positioning insert. 
     
     
       4. The positioning cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the scaffold comprises at least one arm and wherein each arm is secured to at least one of the positioning inserts. 
     
     
       5. The positioning cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein each arm is secured to at least two of the positioning inserts. 
     
     
       6. The positioning cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein each longitudinal slot comprises a distal stop. 
     
     
       7. The positioning cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two temperature sensors disposed within each longitudinal slot. 
     
     
       8. The positioning cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning cartridge is molded as a monolithic element. 
     
     
       9. The positioning cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold further comprises a frangible junction adjacent each of the positioning inserts. 
     
     
       10. A method for manufacturing an electrode, comprising:
 providing the electrode, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of longitudinal bores; 
 providing a positioning cartridge having a plurality of positioning inserts secured by a scaffold that holds the positioning inserts in a defined orientation with respect to each other corresponding to the longitudinal bores of the electrode; 
 deploying the positioning cartridge within the electrode so that each positioning insert is disposed within a longitudinal bore; and 
 removing the scaffold while leaving a positioning insert disposed within each longitudinal bore. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning cartridge comprises a plurality of components, such that at least one component is associated with each positioning insert. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of components comprise temperature sensors. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the positioning cartridge is configured to position each temperature sensor at a location adjacent an outer surface of the electrode.